LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
Penrith Panthers coach Ivan Cleary took full responsibility for his team's "comical" loss following their third straight defeat.
Cleary did not hold back in his assessment, admitting, "I'm responsible." He expressed his disappointment in his team's performance, acknowledging their errors and lack of defensive capability during the match.
Cleary highlighted the lack of rhythm in their play, attributing it to their inability to capitalize on opportunities and maintain their usual level of performance.
The absence of key players Nathan Cleary and Dylan Edwards was palpable in the Panthers' game, further contributing to their lackluster showing.
Cleary did not shy away from addressing the dismal display, stating, "We made errors, couldn't defend them, compounded them, then found new ways to make them." He seemed visibly frustrated with his team's inability to execute their game plan effectively and noted the significant drop in their performance compared to previous games.
In particular, Cleary singled out the first half of the match against the South Sydney Rabbitohs as one of the worst he had witnessed from his team.
When asked about the disappointing performance in the first half, Cleary admitted, "I can't remember one ever [as bad]." This candid acknowledgment of the team's shortcomings reflected Cleary's determination to address their issues head-on and strive for improvement in future games.
Despite the streak of losses and subpar performances, Cleary's willingness to take accountability for the team's struggles demonstrated his leadership and commitment to guiding the Panthers back to their winning ways.
By openly acknowledging the team's weaknesses and highlighting the areas for improvement, Cleary set a tone of responsibility and determination moving forward.
As the Panthers regroup and refocus on their objectives, Cleary's candid assessment of their performance serves as a rallying point for the team to bounce back stronger in the upcoming matches.